Audio transmission, recording and reproducing system

ABSTRACT

An audio recording and reproducing apparatus includes a controller for controlling the entire behaviors, hard disc for write and read of audio data, audio compression/expansion circuit for expanding compressed audio data, and external I/O port. The audio recording and reproducing apparatus is connected to a network service center to obtain desired music data from storage of the network service center and to store it in the hard disc.

More than one reissue application has been filed for the reissue of U.S.Pat. No. 5,870,710. The reissue applications are application Ser. No.09/767,811 (Patent reissue application), filed Jan. 23, 2001 and Ser.No. 12/200,616 (the first reissue continuation application), filed Aug.29, 2008, and present reissue continuation application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an audio reproducing apparatus and method,audio recording apparatus and method, audio recording and reproducingsystem, audio data transmission method, information receiving apparatus,and recording medium which are particularly suitable for use in aheadphone stereo, and in particular to those configured to store in aportable stereo headphone desired audio data externally transmitted tothe portable headphone stereo.

2. Description of the Related Art

Among portable headphone stereo devices with which a user can enjoyreproduced music either during his walk or in an automobile, most widelydistributed are those using an analog-recording magnetic tape such ascompact cassette. A user of a portable headphone stereo using ananalog-recording magnetic tape typically records in a compact cassette adesired piece of music selected from FM broadcasting programs, CDs(compact discs) or other music sources, and sets the compact cassette inhis portable headphone stereo to enjoy audio reproduction either duringhis walk or in an automobile.

However, as long as compact cassettes or other analog-recording magnetictapes are used, great improvements in quality of sound are notprospective, and dubbing causes deterioration of signals. Moreover, ittakes a long time for a user to record desired pieces of music from CDor other music sources. Additionally, with compact cassettes or othermagnetic tapes, the access time is slow, and a user cannot quicklysearch out, reproduce or repeat his desired music.

Some portable headphone stereos use CDs. Since CDs are media exclusivefor recording, a user of portable headphone CD stereo buys CD recordedwith his desired music, and places the CD in his portable headphone CDstereo to enjoy audio reproduction during his walk or in an automobile.CDs are digital recording media, the quality of sound is excellent. Theaccess speed is high, and any desired music can be reproduced quickly.However, since CD headphone stereos are exclusively for reproduction,users cannot make their own music sources compiling their desired piecesof music. Moreover, CD headphone stereos are affected by vibrations, andsound is often skipped over due to the external vibrations.

Also known are portable headphone stereo players using DAT (digitalaudio tape), NT (non-tracking, tape(trade mark)) or otherdigital-recording magnetic tapes as their recording media. Deteriorationof signals by dubbing hardly occurs in devices using DAT, NT or otherdigital magnetic tapes. DAT promises audio reproduction of a very highquality of sound. NT permits recording over a long time in a very smallcassette. Here again, however, devices using magnetic tapes involve thesame problems that the access speed is slow and it takes a long time forrepeated reproduction or cue search of a desired piece of music.

Another type of portable headphone stereo players uses MD(mini-disk(trade mark)). MDs are media for both recording andreproduction, and users can record their desired pieces of music on MDsfrom CD or other music sources and can place them in their portable MDheadphone stereos to enjoy reproduced music during a walk or in anautomobile. MDs are digital-recording media, and promise an excellentquality of sound. The access speed is high, and any desired music can bereproduced quickly. As a shock-proof memory is used, devices are lessaffected by external vibrations.

As reviewed above, various kinds of recording media have been proposedfor use in portable headphone stereos. However, none of these recordingmedia used in conventional portable headphone stereos meet allrequirements from the viewpoints of easy use and quality of sound.

Devices using analog-recording compact cassettes have a problem inquality of sound. These using DAT, NT or other digital-recordingmagnetic tapes have a problem in access speed. CDs are exclusively forreproduction and weak against vibrations. MDs can be used for bothrecording and reproduction and can be miniaturized but, since the numberof titles of MD on sale is not abundant, it is sometimes difficult forusers to obtain their desired music. It takes time to dub CD or othermusic sources.

Another problem with MDs is the use of ATRAC (Adaptive TransformAcoustic Coding) compression and expansion ICs or other ICs developedfor exclusive use in MDs and the use of a particular architecture, i.e.,a particular circuit arrangement as a method for actually mounting theICs in order to reduce the entire dimension and decrease the cost.Therefore, such devices cannot be used in different ways, namely, forrecording and reproducing a recording medium other than MDs, forexample.

Moreover, tastes of users for music are diverged more and more, and thefashion of music largely changes in a short time. It is difficult toexactly catch the fashion of music with conventional music recordingmedia.

Taking it into account, the present Applicant previously proposed aportable headphone stereo discussed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. hei06-131371 U.S. Ser. No. 08/131,943, which is configured to write musicinformation in semiconductor memory used as a recording medium to enablereproduction of the music information any time. However, its interiorcircuit arrangement comprises an exclusive IC and an exclusivearchitecture, and is in the case of MDs, cannot realize wider use andextensive use of the device.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an audioreproducing apparatus and method, audio recording apparatus and method,audio recording and reproducing system, audio data transmission method,information receiving apparatus, and recording medium that promise wideruse and extensive use and promise easy use and a high quality ofreproduced sound.

Another object of the invention is to provide an audio reproducingapparatus and method, audio recording apparatus and method, audiorecording and reproducing system, audio data transmission method,information receiving apparatus, and recording medium that areprospective for developments and can quickly cope with users tastes formusic and music in fashion.

According to the invention, there is provided an audio reproducingapparatus comprising: control means for controlling entire behaviors;storage means for writing and reading data; audio expanding means forexpanding compressed audio data; external I/O means for exchangingincoming data; and a personal computer standard bus for transmittingdata among the control means, storage means, audio expanding means andexternal I/O means, so that compressed audio data is stored in thestorage means, and the compressed audio data is transferred to andexpanded by the audio expanding means to be audibly reproduced.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an audiorecording apparatus comprising: control means for controlling entirebehaviors; storage means for writing and reading data; audio expandingmeans for expanding compressed audio data; external I/O means forexchanging incoming data; and a personal computer standard bus fortransmitting data among the control means, storage means, audioexpanding means and external I/O means, in which data sent in apredetermined format is introduced through the external I/O means, andcompressed audio data is taken out from the introduced data and storedin the storage means.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an audioreproducing method comprising the steps of: storing compressed audiodata in storage means; reading the compressed audio data stored in thestorage means and delivering same to audio expanding means; andreproducing audio data in the audio expanding means.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an audiorecording method comprising the steps of: introducing data sent throughexternal I/O means in a predetermined format; taking compressed audiodata from the data introduced through the external I/O means; andstoring the compressed audio data in storage means.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an audiorecording and reproducing system comprising: an audio recording andreproducing apparatus incorporating control means for controlling entirebehaviors, storage means for writing and reading data, audio expandingmeans for expanding compressed audio data, and external I/O means forexchanging incoming data; first functional means removably attached tothe audio recording and reproducing apparatus to add a supplementaryfunction to the audio recording and reproducing apparatus; and secondfunctional means removably attached to the audio recording andreproducing apparatus to add a new function to the audio recording andreproducing apparatus.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an audiodata transmission method for receiving desired audio data through acommunication line from an audio data base storing a plurality of piecesof audio data, storing the audio data on the part of a receiver toreproduce it there later, the audio data base being configured to sendout data to the receiver in a predetermined transmission format for andto charge fees for the service on the account of the receiver.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided aninformation receiving apparatus comprising: means for choosing desiredaudio data from an audio data base storing a plurality of pieces ofaudio data; means for receiving desired audio data through acommunication line and for storing the chosen audio data; and means forreproducing the stored audio data.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided arecording medium that receives desired audio data through acommunication line from an audio data base storing a plurality of piecesof audio data and stores the chosen audio data.

Digital portable stereo headphone players are connected to a networkservice center by public telephone line (for example ISDN) lines. Eachplayer obtains desired music data from a number of pieces of musicsupplied from the network service center, stores it in a hard disc, andreproduces the music from the hard disc. Since the audio data isrecorded in a digital form, a high quality of sound is promised. Byusing a card type hard disc, a high access speed and an increase indimension and weight are promised. Since a user can choose desired musicfrom the storage of the network service center, he can use his playerconveniently by obtaining any desired music any time from a largestorage in the service center. Therefore, the system can satisfy varioususers tastes for music and can follow the latest fashion of music. Wherea digital portable stereo headphone player is fixed on a base station,then a communication function is added to the player, and the battery ofthe player can be electrically charged simultaneously. Any newadditional function can be added to a digital portable stereo headphoneplayer by mounting an extensive function card, and this promises furtherdevelopments of such players.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view for use in explanation of a digitalportable headphone stereo to which the invention is applied;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view for use in explanation of an audio datatransmission system to which the invention is applied;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic diagrams for use in explanation of anaudio data transmission system to which the invention is applied;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for use in explanation of an audio datatransmission system to which the invention is applied;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view for use in explanation of a digitalportable headphone stereo to which the invention is applied;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view for use in explanation of a digitalportable headphone stereo to which the invention is applied;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a digital portable headphone stereo towhich the invention is applied;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of a digitalportable headphone stereo to which the invention is applied; and

FIGS. 9A to 9F are schematic diagrams for use in explanation ofextensive cards in a digital portable headphone stereo to which theinvention is applied.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to thedrawings. Basically, a digital portable headphone stereo using theinvention is connected through the public telephone line to a networkservice center that supplies a number of music data, so as to obtaindesired music data from the network service center, record it in a harddisc, and reproduce the music data later to enjoy music.

FIG. 1 shows a home terminal system in a digital portable headphonestereo system using the invention. In FIG. 1, numeral 1 denotes thedigital portable headphone stereo. The digital portable headphone stereo1 contains a hard disc to store music data sent by data transmission asexplained later in greater detail.

Numeral 2 denotes a base station having a cavity 3 for receiving andfixing the entirety of the digital portable headphone stereo 1 in thebase station 2.

The base station 2 is typically fixed on an interior wall of a house,for example. The base station 2 is used to control communication withthe network service station, explained later, and to supply power to thebattery of the digital portable headphone stereo 1 inserted into thecavity 3. More specifically, a communication control terminal 4 extendsfrom the base station 2, and coupled to ISDN or other communicationline. A power supply terminal 5 also extends from the base station 2 tointroduce power. In the cavity 3 of the base station 2, there areprovided a power supply terminal 6 for supplying power to the battery ofthe digital portable headphone stereo 1 and a data IN/OUT terminal 7 forexchanging data between the network service station and the digitalportable headphone stereo 1.

When a user wants to carry the digital portable headphone stereo 1 withhim, he removes the digital portable headphone stereo 1 from the basestation 2 and carries the head phone stereo 1 alone with him.

Upon recording data in the digital portable headphone stereo 1 or uponcharging the battery of the headphone stereo 1 with power, the digitalportable headphone stereo 1 is set in the cavity 3 of the base station2.

Then the digital portable headphone stereo 1 fits in the cavity 3 of thebase station 2, a power supply terminal 8 and a data IN/OUT terminal 9on the bottom plane of the digital portable headphone stereo 1 mate withand electrically connected to the power supply terminal 6 and the dataIN/OUT terminal 7 in the cavity 3 of the base station 2. As a result,the battery of the portable headphone stereo 1 is charged, and theportable headphone stereo 1 is ready for communication with the networkservice station through the ISDN line.

Provided on the front face of the digital portable headphone stereo 1are a liquid crystal display 11, direction key 12, and input keys 13A,13B. Further provided on the front face of the digital portableheadphone stereo 1 are mode keys 14 such as fast-forward, play, rewind,stop and pause keys. The digital portable headphone stereo 1 also has aheadphone terminal 15 and a microphone terminal 16 on its upper surface.

As explained above, the portable headphone stereo 1 is used forobtaining music data from the network service center, then recording themusic data on the hard disc, and reproducing the music data recorded onthe hard disc.

FIG. 2 shows an aspect of transmission of data from a network servicecenter to a digital portable headphone stereo. In FIG. 2, numeral 21denotes the network service center that prepares music sources to besupplied to users. The network service center 21 stores many pieces ofmusic data and can be accessed from an external terminal through apublic telephone line 23, for example an ISDN. The network service 21charges fees for the use of music data on users accounts under anagreement concluded with the users. Any appropriate fee systems may beemployed among charging a fixed fee per piece of music, charging amonthly or yearly fixed fee, charging a fixed fee per unit period oftime, and so forth.

In addition to transmission of music data from the network servicecenter 21 to users, the system may be configured to permit uploading ofusers own music to the network service center 21. In this case, it isdesirable that an appropriate amount is paid to a user who suppliedmusical information to the service center 21, also taking his copyrightinto account. For example, any user who supplied musical information maybe paid by an amount corresponding to the occurrence of download of hismusic, for example.

As state above, when the digital portable headphone stereo 1 is set inthe cavity 3 of the base station 2, then the digital portable headphonestereo 1 is invested with a communication function. Due to thecommunication function, the digital portable headphone stereo 1 isconnected to the network service center 21 via the ISDN line 23. Whenthe digital portable headphone stereo 1 is connected to the networkservice center 21, a menu image showing, for example, a generalclassification of music shown in FIG. 3A is sent from the networkservice center 21 to the digital portable headphone stereo 1 anddisplayed on the display 11. A desired class is selected by pointing iton the image through the direction key 12 and input keys 13A, 13B.

As a result, a list of titles of pieces of music in the class appears onthe menu image. When a desired title is selected from the list bypointing it on the menu image, data of the piece of music is sent fromthe network service center 21 to the digital portable headphone stereo 1through the ISDN line 23, and recorded in the hard disc of the digitalportable headphone stereo 1.

A possible protocol for transmitting audio data from the network servicecenter 21 is one adding a header to audio data and transmitting the datain packets as shown in FIG. 4. The protocol for transmitting audio datamay be either an original protocol or a common protocol such TCP/IP.

Audio data may be transmitted in a compressed form. Although variousmodes of compression of audio data have been proposed, a compressionmode which accounts for the quality of sound is desirable for use withthe portable headphone stereo system. For example, ATRAC (AdaptiveTransform Acoustic Coding), which is used with MDs, may be used.Alternatively, data may be transmitted in an encoded form to enable realtime reproduction of transmitted music data.

Although the above example presents a menu image as means for selectinga desired piece of music, it is also possible to search out a desiredpiece of music through its title, singer and/or other materials.Alternatively, icons may be displayed on the image plane so that a usercan select a desired piece of music by pointing to a corresponding iconthrough a pointing device.

When the digital portable headphone stereo 1 is carried with the user,it is removed from the base station 2, and a headphone 17 is connectedto the headphone terminal 15. Music data stored in the built-in harddisc of the digital portable headphone stereo 1 is reproduced bypressing the fast-forward, play, rewind, stop, pause or other operationkey 14, and the reproduced sound is output from the headphone 17.

As explained above, the digital portable headphone stereo 1 using thepresent invention is configured to store in the interior hard disc themusic data transmitted from the network service center 21. Therefore,any latest music can be introduced from the network service center 21,and a variety of users tastes for music can be satisfied. Since theinvention uses, for example, ISDN and transmits music data in acompressed form, it does not require a long time for transmission.Moreover, the hard disc used as a recording medium promises a highaccess speed and is less affected by vibrations than an optical disc.

Although the above-explained system is made up of the digital portableheadphone stereo 1 and the base station 2, it is also possible toexternally add a key board and a display to the digital portableheadphone stereo 1. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the digital portableheadphone stereo 1 may have a connector 18 to connect a display 31, keyboard 32, modem or terminal adapter 33.

When a modem or a terminal adapter 33 is connected, the digital portableheadphone stereo 1 can be connected to the network service center 21 bythe modem or terminal adapter 33, and can be connected to a computer,without using the base station 2. Instead of the modem or terminaladapter, a wireless connection controller can be used for wirelessconnection between the network service center 21 and the digitalportable headphone stereo 1.

When the key board 32 is connected, more detailed commands can be inputto use the portable headphone stereo 1 for various purposes. When thedisplay 31 is connected, moving image data can be reproduced to use thenetwork service center 21 as an audio and video data base. The display31 may be a CRT display, liquid crystal display, plasma display, or anyother appropriate display.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a digital portable headphone stereo systemusing the invention. In FIG. 7, the digital portable headphone stereo 1has a CPU 41 for controlling the entirety. Connected to a bus 42 fromCPU 41 are ROM 43 and RAM 44. Further provided are a hard disc 45 forstoring audio data and a compression/expansion circuit 46 forcompressing and expanding audio data. Additionally connected to the bus42 are an I/O port 47 for connecting a DSU (Digital Service Unit) 61 ofthe base station 2, I/O port 48 for connecting an external key board 32,external modem 33 or external display 31, and I/O port 49 for connectinga card 71 to add various functions. An input key 51 (corresponding todirection key 12, input keys 13A, 13B and operation key 14) and a driver55 for driving a liquid display 11 are further connected to the bus 42.

The bus 42 is a PC standard bus typically used in the field of personalcomputers, such as ISA (Industry Standard Architecture) bus widely usesas an AT compatible external bus (also called extensive slot bus orsystem bus) and PCI (Peripheral Computer Interconnect) bus widely usedas a local bus (also called processor direct bus). By employing acircuit arrangement of a compatible architecture that uses such a commonbus in the field of personal computers, the invention not only decreasesthe manufacturing cost of the entire digital portable headphone stereo 1but also realizes widest use and extensive use of the headphone stereo.

The base station 2 has DSU 61 and a power supply circuit 62. When thedigital portable headphone stereo 1 is set on the base station 2, DSU 61of the base station 2 is connected to the bus 42 of the portableheadphone stereo 1 through the I/O port 47. Simultaneously, power issupplied to the battery 53 of the portable headphone stereo 1 toelectrically charge the battery 53.

In order to store music data from the network service center 21 in thehard disc 45, the digital portable headphone stereo 1 is set on the basestation 2. Thereafter, a command for connection to the network servicecenter 21 is given through the input key 51, and DSU 61 connects thedigital portable headphone stereo 1 to the network service center 21.The network service center 21 transmits data in packets by an originalprotocol or a common protocol like TCP/IP, for example. The packet datais decomposed to extract necessary compressed audio data. The compressedaudio data is delivered to and stored in the hard disc 45.

To reproduce data stored in the hard disk 45, a reproduction command isgiven through the input key 51. In response to the reproduction command,compressed audio data is read out from the hard disc 45, and deliveredto the audio compression/expansion circuit 46. The circuit 46 expandsthe audio data that has been compressed by ATRAC, for example. Theexpanded audio data is supplied to the headphone 17 through the D/Aconverter 52.

To store an audio signal from the microphone 54, a record command isgiven through the input key 51. In response to the record command, theaudio signal from the microphone 54 is supplied to the A/D converter 56,and converted into a digital form. The audio data is then supplied toand compressed by the audio compression/expansion circuit 46. Thecompressed audio data is delivered to the hard disc 45 through the bus42, and stored there.

In order to minimize the dimension and weight of the digital portableheadphone stereo 1, a main circuit board incorporating major parts and acard-type hard disc are used. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of theinterior structure of the digital portable headphone stereo 1. Shells70A and 70B of the digital portable headphone stereo 1 contain the maincircuit board 71, card-type hard disc 72, and a battery 73.Additionally, an extensive function card 74 can be set.

All major circuit parts including CPU 41, ROM 43 and RAM 44 are arrangedon the main circuit board 71. Already developed are main circuit boardsas small as PCMCIA cards using a CPU of the grade around 80386.Small-sized main circuit boards using a faster CPU will be developed ina near future.

The hard disc 72 may be one using a 1.8-inch disc and havingapproximately the same dimension as that of a PCMCIA card and thethickness of 5 mm. The digital portable headphone stereo 1 uses thecard-type hard disc 72 to minimize the dimension of the device.Currently available is a card-type hard disc of 121 MB. In a nearfuture, those of the capacity around 1 GB will be developed.

If the sampling frequency is 30 kHz, and the quantized bits are 16 bits,then a user can enjoy reproduction of music over approximately 33minutes by using a 20 MB hard disc. If the compression rate is doubled,the user will be able to enjoy reproduced music over 30 minutesapproximately by using a 50 MB hard disc. Since the duration around 30minutes of reproduced music is considered sufficient in most cases, theuse of a double compression rate and a 50 MB hard disc will besatisfactory for the time being. If a card-type hard disc of thecapacity around 1 GB is developed in the near future, longerreproduction with a higher quality of sound will be realized.

Although the above example uses the card-type hard disc, a phase-changeoptical disc or optical magnetic disc may be used. If a card-typeoptical disc or magnetic disc is developed, it may be used in the samemanner as a card-type hard disc.

The extensive function card 74 is used to add a further function of thedigital portable headphone stereo 1. The extensive function card 74 hasapproximately the same dimension as a PCMCIA card. FIGS. 9A to 9F showproposed extensive function cards, namely, a video record/reproduce cardfor compression and expansion of MPEG or other moving images (FIG. 9A),facsimile transmission card enabling facsimile transmission (FIG. 9B),wireless transmission card enabling wireless transmission of data (FIG.9C), pager card giving a pager function (FIG. 9D), navigation card forenabling navigation using GPS, for example (FIG. 9E), and wiretransmission card for wire transmission of data (FIG. 9F). By connectingthe extensive function card 74, the digital portable headphone stereo 1is equipped with an additional function, and various modes of use of thedigital portable headphone stereo 1 can be expected.

According to the invention, a network service center for supplyingnumerous pieces of music data and digital portable stereo headphoneplayers are connected by ISDN lines so that desired music data isobtained from the network service center and recorded in a hard disc forlater reproduction. Audio data is recorded in a digital form to improvethe quality of sound. By using a card-type hard disc, the invention canincrease the access speed and can reduce the dimension and weight of theplayer. Since a user can choose desired music from the storage of thenetwork service center, he can use his player conveniently by obtainingany desired music any time from a large storage in the service center.Therefore, the system can satisfy various users tastes for music and canfollow the latest fashion of music. When a digital portable stereoheadphone player is fixed on a base station, then a communicationfunction is added to the player, and the battery of the player can beelectrically charged simultaneously. Any new additional function can beadded to a digital portable stereo headphone player by mounting anextensive function card, and this promises further developments of suchplayers.

That is, used as the bus for connecting respective parts is a PCstandard bus (for example, ISA bus or PCI bus) which is most standard inthe field of personal computers. By employing a circuit arrangement of acompatible architecture that uses such a common bus in the field ofpersonal computers, the invention not only decreases the manufacturingcost of the entire digital portable headphone stereo but also realizeswidest use and extensive use of the headphone stereo.

1. An audio reproducing apparatus, comprising: control means forcontrolling entire behaviors; storage means for writing and readingdata; audio expanding means for expanding compressed audio data;external I/O means for transferring incoming and outgoing data, thetransferring of incoming and outgoing data operative to charge anaccount associated with the transfer of such incoming and outgoing data;and a personal computer standard bus for transmitting data among saidcontrol means, said storage means, said audio expanding means and saidexternal I/O means, so that compressed audio data is stored in saidstorage means, and said compressed audio data is transferred to andexpanded by said audio expanding means to be audibly reproduced.
 2. Theaudio reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said storagemeans is a card-shaped recording medium.
 3. The audio reproducingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein said storage means is acard-shaped hard disc.
 4. The audio reproducing apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein said personal computer standard bus is one of externalbuses including an ISA bus used in AT compatible machines and localbuses including a PCI bus.
 5. An audio recording apparatus, comprising:control means for controlling entire behaviors; storage means forwriting and reading data; audio compressing means for compressing audiodata; external I/O means for transferring incoming and outgoing data;and a personal computer standard bus for transmitting data among saidcontrol means, said storage means, said audio compressing means and saidexternal I/O means, wherein incoming data sent in a predetermined formatis transferred through said external I/O means, and compressed audiodata is generated from the transferred incoming data and stored in saidstorage means, the transferring of incoming and outgoing data operativeto charge an account associated with the transfer of such incoming andoutgoing data.
 6. The audio reproducing apparatus according to claim 5,wherein said storage means is a card-shaped recording medium.
 7. Theaudio reproducing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said storagemeans is a card-shaped hard disc.
 8. The audio recording apparatusaccording to claim 5, wherein said personal computer standard bus is oneof external buses including an ISA bus used in AT compatible machinesand local buses including a PCI bus.
 9. An audio recording andreproducing system, comprising: an audio recording and reproducingapparatus incorporating control means for controlling entire behaviors;storage means for writing and reading data; audio expanding means forexpanding compressed audio data; external I/O means for transferringincoming and outgoing data, the transferring of incoming and outgoingdata operative to charge an account associated with the transfer of suchincoming and outgoing data; first functional means removably attached tosaid audio recording and reproducing apparatus to add a supplementaryfunction to said audio recording and reproducing apparatus; and secondfunctional means removably attached to said audio recording andreproducing apparatus to add a new function to said audio recording andreproducing apparatus.
 10. The audio recording and reproducing systemaccording to claim 9, wherein said first functional means has astructure that can contain the entirety of said audio recording andreproducing apparatus.
 11. The audio recording and reproducing systemaccording to claim 9, wherein said first functional means has acommunication function and/or a power supply function.
 12. The audiorecording and reproducing system according to claim 9, wherein saidsecond functional means is in form of a card that can be held withinsaid audio recording and reproducing apparatus.
 13. An audio recordingand reproducing system comprising: an audio recording and reproducingapparatus incorporating control means for controlling entire behaviors,storage means for writing and reading data, audio expanding means forexpanding compressed audio data, and external I/O means for exchangingincoming data; first functional means removably attached to said audiorecording and reproducting apparatus to add a supplementary function tosaid audio recording and reproducing apparatus; and second functionalmeans removably attached to said audio recording and reproducingapparatus to add a new function to said audio recording and reproducingapparatus, wherein said second functional means adds the function of atleast one of video compression, facsimile transmission, wirelesstransmission, pager, navigation and wire transmission.
 14. The audiorecording and reproducing system according to claim 13, wherein saidfirst functional means has a structure that can contain the entirety ofsaid audio recording and reproducing apparatus.
 15. The audio recordingand reproducing system according to claim 13, wherein said firstfunctional means has a communication function and/or a power supplyfunction.
 16. The audio recording and reproducing system according toclaim 13, wherein said second functional means is in form of a card thatcan be held within said audio recording and reproducing apparatus. 17.An audio data transmission method, comprising the steps of: receivingdesired audio data through a communication line from an audio data basestoring a plurality of pieces of audio data; storing said data in areceiver to thereafter reproduce the audio data within the receiver,wherein said audio data base is configured to send out to said receiverdata in a predetermined transmission format for and to charge theservice to an account of said receiver, the data in a predeterminedtransmission format including the audio data.
 18. The audio datatransmission method according to claim 17, wherein said receiver obtainsaudio data by decomposing the data in said predetermined transmissionformat.
 19. The audio data transmission method according to claim 17,wherein said audio data base and said receiver are connected via publictelephone line.
 20. An information receiving apparatus, comprising:means for choosing desired audio data from an audio data base storing aplurality of pieces of audio data; means for receiving desired audiodata through a communication line and for storing the chosen audio data;and means for reproducing the stored audio data, wherein in response toreceipt of the desired audio data an account associated with the receiptof desired audio data is charged.
 21. A base station apparatuscomprising: a base station body having four exterior sides inrectangular form with an interior cavity, the interior cavity configuredto receive an entirety of an audio reproducing apparatus therein; apower supply terminal configured to supply power to a battery of theaudio reproducing apparatus, the power supply terminal of the basestation on upper surface of a lower portion of the base station body,the power supply terminal of the base station configured to mate withand electrically connect to a power supply terminal of the audioreproducing apparatus; and a fixing portion configured to fix the basestation body on a wall, the audio reproducing apparatus including, adata terminal configured to receive compressed digital audio data froman external device; a memory configured to store the compressed digitalaudio data, an expander configured to expand compressed digital audiodata and output digital audio data, and the power supply terminalconfigured to mate with and electrically connect to the power supplyterminal of the base station, the power supply terminal of the audioreproducing apparatus located on a lower surface of the audioreproducing apparatus.
 22. A base station apparatus comprising: a basestation body including a recess portion configured to receive an audioreproducing apparatus therein; a power supply terminal configured tosupply power to a battery of the audio reproducing apparatus; and afixing portion configured to fix the base station body on a wall, theaudio reproducing apparatus including, a data terminal configured toreceive compressed digital audio data from an external device, a memoryconfigured to store the compressed digital audio data, and an expanderconfigured to expand compressed digital audio data and output digitalaudio data.
 23. The base station recited in claim 22, furthercomprising: a data terminal configured to exchange data between anetwork and the audio reproducing apparatus.
 24. The base stationrecited in claim 23, wherein the data terminal of the base station isconnected to the network through an ISDN line.
 25. The base stationrecited in claim 23, wherein the data terminal of the base station isconfigured to mate with and electrically connect to the data terminal ofthe audio reproducing apparatus.
 26. The base station recited in claim22, wherein the power supply terminal of the base station is configuredto mate with and electrically connect to a power supply terminal of theaudio reproducing apparatus.
 27. The base station recited in claim 22,wherein the base station body has four exterior sides in rectangularform with an interior cavity, the interior cavity configured to receivean entirety of the audio reproducing apparatus therein.
 28. The basestation recited in claim 22, wherein the audio reproducing apparatusincludes a power supply terminal configured to mate with andelectrically connect to the power supply terminal of the base station,the power supply terminal of the audio reproducing apparatus located ona lower surface of the audio reproducing apparatus.
 29. A systemcomprising: a base station; and an audio reproducing apparatus, the basestation including, a base station body including a recess portionconfigured to receive the audio reproducing apparatus therein; a powersupply terminal configured to supply power to a battery of the audioreproducing apparatus; and a fixing portion configured to fix the basestation body on a wall, the audio reproducing apparatus including, apower supply terminal configured to mate with and electrically connectto the power supply terminal of the base station; a data terminalconfigured to receive compressed digital audio data from an externaldevice; a memory configured to store the compressed digital audio data;and an expander configured to expand compressed digital audio data andoutput digital audio data.
 30. The system recited in claim 29, whereinthe base station further comprises a data terminal configured toexchange data between a network and the audio reproducing apparatus. 31.The system recited in claim 30, wherein the data terminal of the basestation is connected to the network through an ISDN line.
 32. The systemrecited in claim 30, wherein the data terminal of the base station isconfigured to mate with and electrically connect to the data terminal ofthe audio reproducing apparatus.
 33. The base station recited in claim30, wherein the power supply terminal of the base station is configuredto mate with and electrically connect to a power supply terminal of theaudio reproducing apparatus.
 34. The system recited in claim 33, whereinthe data terminal and power supply terminal of the base station islocated on an upper surface of a lower portion of the base station body,and the data terminal and power supply terminal of the audio reproducingapparatus is located on a lower surface of the audio reproducingapparatus.
 35. A system comprising: a base station; and an audioreproducing apparatus, the base station including, a base station bodyhaving four exterior sides in rectangular form with an interior cavity,the interior cavity configured to receive an entirety of the audioreproducing apparatus therein; a power supply terminal configured tosupply power to a battery of the audio reproducing apparatus, the powersupply terminal of the base station on upper surface of a lower portionof the base station body, the power supply terminal of the base stationconfigured to mate with and electrically connect to a power supplyterminal of the audio reproducing apparatus; and a fixing portionconfigured to fix the base station body on a wall, the audio reproducingapparatus including, a data terminal configured to receive compresseddigital audio data from an external device; a memory configured to storethe compressed digital audio data; an expander configured to expandcompressed digital audio data and output digital audio data; and thepower supply terminal configured to mate with and electrically connectto the power supply terminal of the base station, the power supplyterminal of the audio reproducing apparatus located on a lower surfaceof the audio reproducing apparatus.
 36. The system recited in claim 35,wherein the base station further comprises a data terminal configured toexchange data between a network and the audio reproducing apparatus. 37.The system recited in claim 36, wherein the data terminal is connectedto the network through an ISDN line.
 38. The system recited in claim 36,wherein the data terminal of the base station is configured to mate withand electrically connect to the data terminal of the audio reproducingapparatus, the data terminal of the base station is located on the uppersurface of the lower portion of the base station body, and the dataterminal of the audio reproducing apparatus is located on the lowersurface of the audio reproducing apparatus.